Swivel coupling



Feb. l2, 1946. D M, pH|| |ps V2,394,715

' swIvEL GOUPLING Filed Jan. 28, 1943 /a j /r/z/ f 'the' socket and made inoperative.

ramal Feb. -i2, 194e mim M. mmm.

'. ration of California Fullerton Chiksan Tool Company, B

oem.. www w rea. Calif.. a corpo- Appuesuoe .1.1mm es, im. serial No. mace is cams. onzas-91.3

This invention relates to fluid conducting Joints and relates more particularly to fluid conducting swivel Joints. A general object of this invention is to provide apractical. eifective and inexpensive fluid handling swivel coupling.

Fluid vconducting swivel joints of the general class with which this invention is concerned usually embody an anti-friction bearing for connecting the sections for free relative rotation and packing means for preventing the leakage of nuid from between the sections. It is necessary to accurately machine the parts which receive the packing means and it is desirable rthat the ioint sections be formed so that the packing means may be readily inserted through the mouth of the outer section or socket section. In view of these considerations it has been the usual practice to arrange the packing means in the socket section behind the bearing'. As a result oi' this relationship between thepacking means and bearing the uuid pressure which acts on the packing means is directly transmitted to the bearing. thus subjecting the bearing to excessive end thrusts and additional wear.

Another object of the invention is to provide an anti-friction swivel joint for conducting fluid that embodies a novel thrust means for transmltting the axial thrusts resulting from the fluid pressure acting on the packing means to the outer section. thus relieving the anti-friction bearing oi' these loads.

Another object of this invention is to provide a swivel coupling of the character referred to in which the means for transmitting the axial thrusts fromthe packing means to the body section comprises a simple, one-piece thrust ring.

Another object of this 'invention is to provide a couplingof the character mentioned in which the provision of the thrust ring allows the seaiirf, means and the bearing to be arranged in the most advantageous positions and permits the simpliiication of the entire joint. A further object of a swivel coupling embodying an improved sealing ring that is particularly effective in preventing the escape. of fluid under .pressure and that does not become distorted after extensive use or when 'subjected to reduced or negative pressures. It has been found that sealing rings embodying feather edges acted upon by the fluid pressure are most effective in this class of swivel joints but the lips or feather edges of such sealing rings often become crowded against the end wall of When the coupling is 4handling negativepressure the sealthis invention is to provide ing lips tend to draw together and to become distorted. The improved sealing ring o! the in- I 'or bellhaped'element and the innermost ventlon embodies the highly eilective feather edge sealing lips and is formed so thatthese lips cannot be distorted or crowded against the socket wall or pulled together by the action of reduced pressure.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the .following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention. throughout.l which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:4

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the coupling with a portion appearing in side elevation. Fig. 2 is an end elevation ofthe sealing ring removed from the coupling. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross section of the sealing ring with a part 'appearing in side elevation and Fig. i is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the thrust member with a portion appearing in side elevation.

The swivel coupling of the present invention may be said to comprise, generally, an outer section i0. an inner section il, an anti-friction bearing i2 connecting the sections for lree relative rotation. a -thrust member it at the inner aide of the bearing i2, and sealing means Il at the inner side of the thrust member for preventing the leakage of fluid frornbetween the sections. The sections iii and li are tubular members i'orY conducting fluid and are arranged in telescopic relation to form the body of the coupling. The outer section Iii may be termed the socket section and the inner section il may be termed thepinsectio The outerv section lilla a cup hasA a longitudinal socket i5 for receiving the inner for containing'the bearing I2 and the sealing means il. The wall of thev socket il is cylindrical and concentric with the longitudinal axis of the coupling and is stepped to have two annular shoulders il and i1 which facetoward the mouth of the socket. The shoulders l! and i1 are spaced a substantial distance inwardly yfrom the mouth of the socket It is spaced some distance from shoulder I1 'and is preferably flat and normal to the lonsitudinalaxie of the coupling. The outer'section i0 is formedfor connection with' a fluid conductor, or the like. In

the case illustrated the outer section It inpro- :vided with a tubular boss orextension il. .The inner section section li and the twojshoulders are iaadiacent spaced relation. The inner end wall il il iol-an elongate tubularv member received in the socket il with consider-` able clearance, leaving ample space to receive the bearing I2, the member I3 and the sealing means The section II extends outwardly beyond the socket I5 for connection with a pipe part or the like. The iluid passage 22 extending through th'e two sections I and II may be uniform in diam--` eter and entirely unobstructed.

The bearing I2 serves to connect the sections III and II for free relative rotation. The antifriction bearing i2 comprises an inner race 22. an outer race 24 and a series of balls 24 engaged in opposingannular grooves in the races. Seal.. ing rings 2B may be recessed in the ends of the races 23 and 24 to retain lubricant in the bearing. 'I'he inner bearing race 23 is engaged on the .inner section II so that its outer end bears A nut 21 is threaded onv against the flange l2 I. the inner section II and cooperates with the inner end of the race 23 to clamp the race against the ilange 2|. The race 23 held vor clamped be'- tween the flange 2l and the nut 21 is rigid with the inner section II. A pi'n 28 or other appropriate means serves to -lock th'e nut 21 on'the innersection II. i

The outer race 24 of the bearing I2 is received in the socket I to cooperate with its main wall. A tubular nut or ring 23 is threaded in the mouth of the socket I5 and cooperates with the outer end of the race 24. The inner face of the ring 23 may be in ysubstantially the same plane as the inner side of the flange 2i. The outer race 24 bears against the ring23 for the transmission of axial thrusts in one direction.v The other end of the race 24 cooperates with the thrust imember i3 for the transmission of end thrusts in the other direction. Thus it will be seen that the bearing I2 connects the sections I0 and II for free relative rotation and positively holds'the sections against relative axial movement in both directions.

Suitable means is provided for locking the threaded ring 23 against turning. In practice this means includes a spring ring engaged in V an annular groove 3i in the periphery of the outer section I0. Spaced radial openings 32 are provided in the wall of the section I0.

to loin the groove 3i andv spaced radial notches 33 are pro-` vided in the ring 29 to resister with the openings 32. There is an opening 32 registering with a notch 33 in every rotative position of the ring 29. The spring ring 30 has an inturneci finger 34 which extends inwardly through an opening` 32 and which vengages in a notch 33 to lock the threaded ring 23 against turning.

The thrust member i3 is an important element of the invention. The element i3 is arranged-in the socket i5 to cooperate with the inner end'of the outer bearing race 24 so that the outer race is positively held against axial movement in both directions and the member I3 further serves as an abutment for the sealing means I4 and for the transmission of axial pressure from th'e sealing means to the outer bearing race 24. This last named function is particularly important as it relieves the relatively rotating parts of the bearing means I2 of the axial thrusts resulting from the action of the iluid pressure on the'sealing means I4.`

-. 'rne thmst member |33 is a one-piece ring arascuas ranged in the stepped or shouldered portion of the socket Il. The member I3 is shaped to cool erate with both shoulders" and I1 and withv the peripheral wall of the socket. As illustrated in Figs. l and 4 of the drawing the member I3 has what may be considered a radial outer end flange 35 whose inner side bears on the shoulder I6 and whose periphery cooperates with the main wall of the socket i6. The member I3 has an axial intermediate portion 38 that is 'tubular and cylindrical to' cooperate with the wall of the socket Il between the shoulders I3 and I1. The member I3 further has an intumed annular lip or apron i1 which extends inwardly toward the inner section ii. One face of the apron 21 bem on the shoulder i1 while the otherface of the apron is spaced from and clear of the nut 2 1. this being clearly shown in Fig. l. The apron 31 is also clear of the inner section II. When the nut or ring 29 is threaded against the outer race 24, the member i3 is'clamped between they race 24 and the shoulders I8 and i 1 and acts as a spacer or abutment for deiinltely stopping the outer race and for holding it against axial movement in one direction.

The sealing means I4 serves to prevent the' leakageof fluid from between the sections I0 and II and in accorda'nce withthe invention is actuated by the duid pressure from the line. The means I4 includes a sealing ringflil and a backing ring 4I. The rings 40 and 4I are arranged l in the socket i5 between the apron 31 and the inner wall i3. The walls and surfaces dening the space which receives the sealing `means I4 are smooth and accurately machined to reduce the wear toa minimum. `It will be observed that the portion of the inner section Ii whichis engaged vby the sealing means I4 is unthreaded and smooth. The backing ring 4I bears against the inner face or the apron v31mm is engaged withv the peripheral wall of the socket Iii adjacent the shoulder I1. The ring 4I is thickened v at its periphery to have an inwardly projectinglip which extends a short distance along the wall of the socket. The backing ring 4I maybe formed of bronze, brass, or other appropriate material.

The sealing ring 40 is a feature' of the invention. The ring 49 is an annular body 'of elastic or yielding resilient materialsuch as rubber. rubber composition. synthetic rubber, or the like. The sealing ring 40 is arranged behind the backing ring 4I and is shaped to most eilectivelyseal with the external surfacey of the inner section II and the socket wall of the outer section I0.

The ring 40 also bears andseals against the backing ring 4I but is spaced from the end wall I8' iiuid under pressure admitted tothe socket by the gap 2Il. The sealing ring 40 is provided with inner and outer annulary sealing lips '43 for seaiing with the external surface of the inner section Il and thev peripheral wall ofthe socket Il.

so that its entire inner faceis exposed tothe The inner or opposing sidesof the lips 43 taper v or curve outwardly toward their peaks so that .the lips maybe said to be feather edged alinsl though in practice the lips may have narrow. blunt, or rounded edges. As the ring is initially formed the lips 43 mayilare or diverge slightly sothat when the ring is installed Inits activev position the resiliencyjof the sealingfrin'g material urges the lips 43 outwardly to inaintain them in e'ective sealing" cooperation with the surfaces of the sectionsl Il and II. vThe duid pressure acting von the'exposed surfaces ofthe lips 43 is the principal actuating iorce for tightly holding the lips against the surfaces oi' the sections I and ll to positively prevent the leakage of iiuid past the sealing ring.

As will be Seen from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings there is a substantial annular space between the sealing lips 43. The invention provides a central concentric annular ridge 44 in this spaced or trough. The ridge 44 may be equally spaced between the sealing lips 43 and a space or groove occurs between the ridge and each sealing lip. AThe ridge 44'is of substantial thickness at its base and its opposite sides converge outwardly. In accordance with the invention the ridge. 44 projects beyond the extremlties of the lips 43. Thus the peak or edge of the ridge 44 is'adjacent the end wall I8 while the lips 43 are spaced a substantial distance away from the end wall. 'The ridge 44 serves as a spacer to prevent the sealing lips 43 from belng crowded against the end wall I8 and distorted from such engagement. The ridge 44 also provides a substantial mass of resilient material between the bases of the lips 43 and this mass of material effectively resists all tendency for the simple and is easily assembled. During operation the bearing I2 connects the sections I0 and Il for free relative rotation and the sealing ring prevents the leakage of iluid under pressure from between the sections. In this connection it should be observed that the ring 40 remains stationary with respect to the outer section viIl because of its extensive engagement with the wall oi' the socket I5 and the backing ring 4i. and the sealing ring has only limited engagement with the inner section Il. Thus there is only a very limited wearing surfaceon the sealing ring 40 and there is little or no tendency for the ring to become distorted through torsional strains. As above described the ridge 44 protects the sealing lips 43 against engagement with the end wall I8 and assists in holding thesealing lips outwardly against the surfaces of the sections I0 and I I. Theaxial forces applied to the sealing ring 40 by the fluid under pressure aretransmitted to the thrust member I3.- The member I3 in turn directly transmits these forces to the outer race 24 of the bearing l2 and the race carries the forces to the threaded ring 29. Accordingly, the relatively rotating parts 'of the bearing l2 are not subjected to thel axial forces resulting from the iiuid pressure acting uponA the sealing ring 40. The bearing I2 and the packing means I4 are both made readily accessible upon the removal or unthreadlng lof the ring 29 and the several parts may be easily and quickly replaced when worn. 1

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention. I do notwlsh to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to fthose skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims. I

Having described my inventory, I claim:

l. A iluid conducting swivel coupling including a tubular outer section having a socket. the wall of the socket having an axially and outwardly facing shoulder,z a tubular inner section entering the vsocket-arid me a pair o! opposing external shoulders,` a thrust member in the socket engaged with said shoulder and supported by the shoulder to beheld against inward movement, an anti-friction bearing for connecting the sections for tree relative rotation' 'and holding the sections against relative `axial movement in both directions, the bearing including an inner race engaged on the inner section between said opposing shoulders. an outer race seated directlyl in the socket and having one end engage-:fi with the thrust member and anti-friction elements engaged between the races, a ring screw threadf ed in the socket and engaging the other end of the outer race to clamp the outer race'against the thrust member, the thrust member having a radially inwardly `projecting flange portion spaced axially from the innermost shoulder on the inner section and sealing means in the socket having only radial engagement with the inner section and actuated by fluid pressure acting outwardly toward the mouth of the socket to seal with the two sections and -wholly supported axially against such pressure by the inner y ing a tubular outer section having a socket, the

wall o( the socket having an axially facing shoulder, a tubular inner section entering ythe socket and having a pair of opposing external shoulders, erranti-friction bearing for connecting the sections for free relativerotation and holding the sections against relative axial movement in both directions, the bearing including an inner race engaged on the inner section between said opposing shoulders, an outer race having one end facing the shoulder in the socket and anti-friction elements engaged between the races. and e. ring removably secured in the socket and engaging the other end of the outer race, sealing means in kthe socket for sealing with the two sections including a thrust member in the socket held between the shoulder in the socket and the 'outer race, a rigid` backing ring bearing against the inner end of the thrust'member so the en-f tire axial thrust of the sealing means is communicated to the thrust member, and a sealing ring -wholly supported axially by the backing ring and having radial engagement with the inner section and pressed into sealing engagement with the two Asections by uid pressure.

3. In a tubulariiuid conducting swivel couv pling.. an outer section havingy a socket, an inner section entering the socket, the inner end oi the inner section being spaced from the inner yend wall oi' the socket to leave a gap whichfadmits fluid pressureto the socket, an abutment pro- ,iecting from the side wall of thesocket and spaced from its end wall. andvsealing means bearing axially'against the abutment` and ac-J tuated by the iiuid pressure including a sealing ring of resilient material having spaced annular lips, one sealing radially inward against the inner section, the other sealing radially outward against the outer section, and a part spaced between the lips and projecting beyond the lips toward the end wall of thesocket to prevent said lips lfrom contacting said end wall.

4.' In a tubular iluid conductingswiv'el coupling, an outer section having a socket, an inn@ section entering the socket, the inner portion o! the socket being in communication with the vinteriors or the sections to receive fluid pressure therefrom, an abutment in the socket spaced from the inner wall of the socket, and a sealing ring of resilient material axially supported by the abutment inthe inner portion ci' the socket and surrounding the inner section, the sealing ring having anA inner sealing lip projecting toward said end wall of the socket and actuated i 5. A swivel coupling adapted to conduct uid pressure including a tubular outer section having a socket, a tubular inner section received in the' socket and having a turnediinner end portion, a bearing connecting the sections for relative rotation including an inner race held on the inner section. an outer race engaged in the socket to be held against axial movement in one direction relative vto the outer section andv anti-friction' elements engaged between the faces, a thrust member engaged in the socket and cooperating ,with'the outer race to hold the same against axial movement in the other direction. the thrust member being axially spaced from the inner race to be clear oi! the inner race, a retainer for the inner race located on the inner section between the inner race and the outer side of the thrust member, and sealing means in the 'socket having contact with the inner sectionv only at the exterior of said turned portion thereof, thevsealing means being forced amally against the outer side of the thrust member by fluid pressure which actuates,

it to seal between the sections.

6.A swivel coupling adapted to conduct iluid pressure including a tubular outer section having a socket, a tubular inner section received in the socket, a bearing connecting the sections for relative rotation including an inner race held on the inner section, an outer race engaged in the socket to be heid against axial movement in one direction relative to the outer section and antifriction elements engaged between the i'acesr a thrust member engaged in the socket and cooperating with the outer race to hold the same against axial movement in the lother direction, the thrust member having an outer portion engaging the end of the outer race and having an inner portion axially oiiset from the :outer portion to he axially spaced from the inner race to be axially removed from the inner race, and sealing means in the socket forced axially against the thrust member by fluid pressure which actuates it to engage and seal the sections only radially. I

7. A swivel coupling adapted to conduct iluid pressure including a tubular outer section having a socket, a tubular inner section received in the socket, a bearing connecting the sections for relative rotation including an inner race held on the inner section, an outer race engaged in the socket to be held against axial movement in one direction relative to the outer section and anti-friction elements engaged between the races, a thrust member in the socket holding the outer race against axial mcvementin the other direction relative to the outer section, the socket having a portion continuing inward beyond the thrust member and the inner section having a turned portion continuing inward ai the tbnxst member, and a packing engaging the' thrust member so the thrust member is the sole support for the .packing in an axial direc- Y tion and engaging said portions ai, the socket and inner member to seal directly between the inner and outer sections independently oi the bearing.

8. A swivel coupling adapted to conduct fluid pressure including a tubular outer section having a socket, a tubular inner section received in the socket, a bearing connecting the sections fory f relative rotation including an inner race held on the inner section, an outer race cnslsed in the socket to be held against axial movement in one direction relative to the outer section and anti-friction elements engaged between the races, a thrust member in the socket holding the outer race against axial movement in the other direction' relative to the cuter section. the socket having a. portion continuing inward beyond the' thrustmember and the inner section. having a' portion continuing inward'of the thrust member, and a packing engaging thethrust member so the thrust member is the sole support for the packing in an axial direction `and ensaging said portions of the socket andy inner member to seal directly between the inner and outer sections independently oi the bearing, the packing having only radial engagement with the part that moves relative to it.

9. A swivel coupling adapted to conduct fluid pressure including a tubular outer section having a socket, a tubular inner sectionk received in-thesocket, a bearing connecting the sectionsv `for 'relative rotation including an inner racc held on the inner section, an outer racc engaged in the socket to be held against axial movement in one direction relative tothe outer section and anti-irictionelements engaged between the races, a ythrust member in the socket holding the outer race lagainst axial movement inthe lother direction relative to the outerr section, laj retainer threaded to the inner end portion. oi' the inner section between the bearing and thrust member to hold the inner race on'the inner section, and packing means in thev socket supported by the thrust member and scaling between the two sections., f

i0. A swivel coupling adaptedy to conduct 4duid pressure including a tubular outer section having a socket, a tubular innersection received in the socket, a bearing connecting the sections for relative rotation including an inner'l race held on the inner section. an outer race engaged in the socket to be held against axial movement in one direction relative to the outer section and anti-friction elements engaged between the tween the two sections, the inner section having a reduced inner end portion finished *tov operate in the packing means.

11. In av swivelA couplingr for handling duid `and having a 4tubularouter section with a socket. l

a tubular inner section received in the socket. and bearing means between the sections including an outer race held in the socket, means tor sealing between the sections comprising a thrust member interposed between the socket and outer race and having a part projecting radially inward from the outer race and packing means maintained in the socket by said part of the thrust member and actuated by uid pressure to seal between the sections and exterting radial sealing pressure against the inner section whereby only the end of the inner section is exposed t'o i'orce tending to move the sections apart;

12. In a swivel coupling for handling fluid and having a tubular outer section with a socket, a tubular inner section received in the socket and having an inwardly facing shoulder, and bearing means between the sections includa part projecting radially inward from the outer race to overlie and be axially spaced from the said member and packing means maintained in the socket by said part of the thrust member and actuated by fluid pressure to seal between the sections and exerting radial sealing pressure against the inner section whereby only the end oi.' the inner section is exposed to force tending to move the sections apart. ,l

DWIGHT IMLI'HIILLIPB- 

